Common and Grey Seals - a comparison (1 Viewer)

[Dave Kennedy]

Common, or Harbour, Seals Phoca vitulina have a distinct forehead, and V-shaped nostrils. Grey Seals Halichoerus grypus have a long, straight or slightly convex nose, and nostils which are close to parallel.

The following four photographs, taken at Uisaed Point, Machrihanish, Kintyre, in June 2009, show the two types for comparison. The first two pictures are of Common Seals, showing the distinct forehead and the V-shaped nostrils. The second pair shows the Grey Seal, with long straight muzzle and almost parallel nostrils.

Uisaed Point is a great favourite with the seals, and in the little bay near the old lifeboat house they can be found basking on the rocks on most days.

Best wishes,
Dave Kennedy

 

[pete woodall]

Hi Dave,
This is a very useful posting. As you know, we'll be in this area in October and hope to be able to find some seals, along with the birds.
I've seen seals years ago at the Farne Isles but subsequently I've never been sure whether they were common or grey - hence not ticked!
Cheers, pete

 

[Farnboro John]

Hi Dave,
This is a very useful posting. As you know, we'll be in this area in October and hope to be able to find some seals, along with the birds.
I've seen seals years ago at the Farne Isles but subsequently I've never been sure whether they were common or grey - hence not ticked!
Cheers, pete

I'll probably get shot down for this but I've never seen anything but loads of Greys at the Farne Islands.

John

 

[pete woodall]

Hi John
Thanks for that pointer about the Farne Isles. I can pick a red roo from a euro at some distance but I'm all at sea when it comes to seals .......
sorry for that!
Pete

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Hi Dave,
This is a very useful posting. As you know, we'll be in this area in October and hope to be able to find some seals, along with the birds.
I've seen seals years ago at the Farne Isles but subsequently I've never been sure whether they were common or grey - hence not ticked!
Cheers, pete

Hi, Pete,
Glad you found this useful. I must apologise, but I was away for a while in July, and completely missed your response to my Machrihanish seal posting of 8th July. I have only seen it today, so, once again, apologies for being so slow in responding. You should note that Uisaed Point is also good for otters -there was one playing close to these very seals, but all I managed to photograph was his backside as he dived. I have seen otters there several times. Remember also the Seabird Observatory on the point. It is manned most days form April through October, and the folk there will be glad to give you advice and assistance. If you look back through Your Local Patch/Scotland/Kintyre Birds you will find maps showing the location of Uisaed Point.
Hope you have a great visit,
Best wishes,
Dave